ABINGTON – The Abington High School cheerleaders bested a team from South Miami last week to capture their division’s national championship title.

Abington was among nearly 60 dance teams that competed in the 2014 U.S. Spirit Nationals in Orlando, Fla., from March 27-31. The team raised close to $24,000 to attend the event.

The team finished the first day with a strong lead, and despite a bout of nerves the second day, never fell behind, coach Kimberly Hicks said in an email. For their victory the girls received medals, jackets, a trophy and a national championship banner.

“The girls had a kind of performance you just feel every word, stomp, stunt, hit. It was incredible,” Hicks said. “The girls left the stage in happy tears and I knew, as a coach, they performed to their full potential. It’s the kind of performance you can’t teach or coach how to perform. It’s just heart.”